Spoiler alert! The criminally under-estimated Freddy Standen doesn’t rate his own intelligence very highly, but he certainly manages to deploy his common sense to excellent effect, plucking plans from thin air and smoothing Kitty’s path through society during their pretend engagement. But remember, he’s not kind-hearted! Oh no, heaven forbid, he’s …

Spoiler alert! Sir Gareth Ludlow’s life is turned upside-down in the space of a few hours when his long-standing friend Lady Hester Theale turns down his very flattering proposal, and he finds himself taking charge of the beautiful and ruthless runaway Amanda. Up against this diminutive but cunning strategist, Sir Gareth is led a merry dance around…

Spoiler alert! Captain John Staple is one of the easiest of Heyer’s heroes to like. Maybe it’s his all-round goodness, but maybe it’s just because he’s so very large. We’re all powerless to resist apparently. Nell Stornoway certainly doesn’t manage it for long, and we don’t blame her. There’s a whole host of fantastic characters in this story, from…

Spoiler alert! Annis Wychwood and Oliver Carleton are two of our more mature Heyer characters. For the readers that means we can enjoy watching two honest and articulate people unpick what it takes to give up their comfortable ways of life and walk into the unknown - throwing in their lot with another person. But where’s the risk really? Annis is b…

Spoiler alert! How lovely that muscular thighs are guaranteed when your hero is a Corinthian. But it’s not just his legs that make Sir Richard Wyndham such a dashing figure - no, it’s also his romantic streak, intelligence and sense of humour. Plus he even seems capable of giving a pretty good haircut while spectacularly drunk. And who could possib…

Spoiler alert! And trigger warning. Early on in this episode we talk about the horrors of war, including rape and murder, so do please skip past this episode if that’s not what you need to hear about right now. We also talk about the impact of a novel being based on real people, with details drawn from their memoirs. Take Juana for example… do we t…

Spoiler alert! In this episode we wax lyrical over Sir Waldo. Handsome, charming and kind, an expert in the art of flirtation and a man who’d never abandon his Wretched Brats. No wonder Ancilla Trent falls head over heels for him, despite her best intentions. And just as much as we hope Sir Waldo and Miss Trent will make a match of it, we’re desper…

Spoiler alert! In this episode we kick things off by discussing whether Sir Maurice and Cleone were reasonable in wanting Philip to change his ways. Is he being asked to put aside his real identity and conform? Or do they want him to broaden his horizons before slipping prematurely into old age? And what about Cleone? A young woman who gets engaged…

Spoiler alert! In this episode we talk about a very dysfunctional family and deep-rooted resentments that might prove deadly. There’s intrigue, danger and mystery galore, plus delightfully prosaic heroine, Drusilla, who knows just where to place a problematic epergne. Our hero, St Erth, faces multiple attempts on his life, and perhaps even more fri…

Spoiler alert! Heyer pulls off quite the feat in An Infamous Army - capturing the horrors of war through the love story of dashing Charles Audley and rebellious Barbara Childe. While Heyer’s research into the Battle of Waterloo has long been respected, we also take a moment to appreciate how she builds an atmosphere. We’re right there with the ton …

Spoiler alert! Have you ever been tempted to slap someone with a glove à la Sir Anthony Fanshawe? While we’d never condone violence, to be honest we do see the appeal. In this episode we talk about the magnetism and audacity of the Old Gentleman, the all-accepting love of the Large Gentleman, the stoicism of Prudence, and the Princess Bride levels …

Spoilers ahead! Why does it take so long for Viscount Desford and Henrietta Silverdale to get together? We’ve got theories… They’ve both enjoyed a few years of freedom and frivolity of course, which makes a nice change. Des’s father is still alive and kicking (and perfectly capable of a delivering a fine trimming) so there wasn’t any need for Des t…

“The thing that had to change most fundamentally [in The Grand Sophy] is that Sophy is simply untroubled…she always has the upper hand, she always has the answer and she’s always outwitting everybody. For the film…if a character is completely unassailable, it becomes frustrating. You have to find the kryptonite, you have to find what would make her…

Spoiler alert! It’s cold and dark here in London so the perfect time to get a little gothic with Cousin Kate. It doesn’t seem to be a universally popular novel, but we tapped into our inner torment and really enjoyed it. We will acknowledge however that this isn’t the most comfortable of reads - what with all the violent deaths and animal cruelty. …

“One of the great gifts that Freud has given to our culture is that our sexual fantasies are not to be censored in any way. They are beyond sin, they’re beyond political correctness. We have to accept that our fantasy lives don’t necessarily reflect the person we might want to appear.” - Amy Street Welcome to Heyer Today, the serial podcast in whic…

This is Heyer Today, the podcast taking you on a journey exploring the work of Georgette Heyer, underappreciated author of hilarious and charming Regency romances and detective novels. As with all of our book club episodes, this week we’re going to be trying to convert two people who’ve NEVER read Heyer. Today we have Emma Moran, winner of the 2019…

This week I’m talking to Dr Lucie Bea, one of my favourite people on Twitter. Not only is she an academic who is extremely knowledgeable about film history, (I quoted her wonderful article on the 1950 film version of The Reluctant Widow in episode 9), she’s also the host of the #GeorgetteHeyerReadalong group which has given me and many other Heyer …

Spoilers ahead. It’s time for a very domestic story in this episode as we quietly cheer on the growing closeness between lovelorn Adam and the ever-practical Jenny. Jenny might be the least likely heroine in the Heyerverse but she marries a man hopelessly in love with another, just because it’s the only thing she can do to help him. That makes her …

It's Heyer Today, the epic literary aural feast celebrating the life and work of historical novelist supremo, Georgette Heyer. Today is our 10th book club episode – this week we’re discussing False Colours with two fabulous ladies: Jenni Waugh, who has worked on the Jane Austen Centre website and social media channels in Bath, and Rhiannon Shaw, a …

It’s time for Heyer Today, the podcast in which we investigate the life and work of our favourite historical novelist, Georgette Heyer. We also explore why her books have yet to be made into films, in spite of being utterly delightful. Here to talk to Sara-Mae about that, amongst myriad other things, is none other than Joanne Harris (MBE). Best kno…

Welcome once again to another of our book club episodes of Heyer Today. Yep, it's the podcast all about Regency romance queen, Georgette Heyer. This week Sara-Mae will be reading The Nonesuch, (one of her favourite Heyers) with two fabulous people who have never encountered the author before. In her quest to indoctrinate more readers, she’s convert…

Welcome to Heyer Today, the podcast about all things relating to Regency romance queen, Georgette Heyer. This week, Sara-Mae will be chatting with playwright Christina Calvit and director Dorothy Milne, who worked together on the acclaimed Heyer adaptations of The Talisman Ring, Pistols for Two, Cotillion and Sylvester at Chicago’s Lifeline Theatre…

Spoilers ahead. Poor Lady Bellingham! Running a profitable yet respectable gaming house is harder than it appears. Especially since her niece refuses to form a connection for such a base purpose as financial security. And then there's the cost of green peas to consider. If only there was a handsome green pea farmer for Deb to marry, but sadly it's …

It’s time for another book club episode on Heyer Today, the podcast all about Georgette Heyer and her work. Guests are Sara-Mae’s hubby Mike Scott, who’s finally cracked and allowed her to convince him to read ‘The Unknown Ajax’, along with travel journo and radio broadcaster, Rob Crossan. So far, the convert tally numbers 10.5 out of 14. Will she …

This is Heyer Today, a podcast exploring the life and work of Regency romance nonpareil, Georgette Heyer. Many of you will be familiar with this week’s guest; Mary Jo Putney, who hails from Baltimore, Maryland in the US. Host Sara-Mae has been dying to chat to her as, like Georgette, she’s also a best-selling author of Regency romances. Join us, as…

Welcome to Heyer Today, Fable Gazers’ epic podcast series all about Regency romance goddess, Georgette Heyer. This week, Sara-Mae attempts to convert two musical babes to Heyer’s work. Barbara Bartz is one of the most sought after fiddle players in the London Alternative Folk music scene, and Emily Lee is an up and coming singer songwriter – both o…

This week on Heyer Today, Sara-Mae is chatting to not one, but two fabulous authors of magic-inflected Regency fiction. Garth Nix (Old Kingdom, Seven Towers and Keys to the Kingdom books) discusses how his book Newt's Emerald was a homage to Heyer, as well as giving us his list of top Heyer-inspired fantasy works. Zen Cho, our other guest, is a UK-…

Welcome to Heyer Today, the podcast all about Regency romance queen, Georgette Heyer. This is a book club episode in which host Sara-Mae Tuson hoodwinks two Heyer virgins into reading The Tollgate. Our guests are comedian Glen Tickle and Jaclyn Green-Stock. Glen is a comedian and writer from New Jersey. He's performed around the US at festivals and…

Spoilers ahead. Kit's got quite the moral maze to navigate in False Colours - pretend to be his AWOL twin to avoid offending his possible-future-wife's grandmother, but without accidentally letting possible-future-wife fall in love with him before his twin returns. It's a good job he's got some serious diplomatic chops, and that Cressy Stavely is q…

Welcome to the second half of Fable Gazers' Season 2: Heyer Today, in which I interview knowledgeable experts and fans about underappreciated Regency romance queen Georgette Heyer This week, we’ll be talking to the President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, Susannah Fullerton. She’s also an OAM recipient (Order of Australia) as well as a me…

Spoilers ahead. Possibly the most romantic of all Heyer novels, in this episode we fall under the spell of Dameral - a young Classics nerd turned rake, rejected by his family and society; and Venetia - pragmatic, brave, witty and kind despite a lifetime of loneliness. Theirs is an uncommon love, and we absolutely luxuriate in it. But it's not all a…

Spoilers ahead. A deathbed marriage, Bonaparte agents, a secret stairway, and Bouncer the much-maligned guard dog all play a part in this high-stakes adventure. We wonder if Elinor would have found herself embroiled in it if she wasn't making decisions when hungry. Perhaps she should have had some of Dr. Ratcliffe's Restorative Pork Jelly - it seem…

In this episode we talk about how Horry and Rule - two charming and capable individuals - are made even more likeable because of their vulnerability when it comes to affairs of the heart. It’s a vulnerability that allows our trio of villains (with distinct Dangerous Liaisons vibes) to interfere in their path to happiness. But there’s nothing like g…

Smugglers, murder plots, punch ups and a priest hole - it's quite the Famous Five adventure for Sir Tristram, Sarah, Ludovic and Eustacie (and Sir Hugh to make up the numbers). In this episode we talk about the morbid flights of fancy of teenage girls, the allure of athletic gentlemen, and the skill required to shoot candelabras. Su also demonstrat…

Imagine if a relative foisted a coat-wearing monkey onto your household? It would be an absolute scene, but despite such an egregious start we just couldn’t help but fall under the spell of the ruthlessly kind-hearted Sophy, or the buttoned up, yet sexy, Charles. We also find time to admire the nap-loving Queen of eggs Marquesa de Villacanas, and t…

We’re back! After a year-long lockdown hiatus, we’re here to talk about Regency Buck... High-handed Lord Worth meets headstrong Judith and sparks fly. Young Peregrine comes perilously close to death on multiple occasions, but eventually just discovers a love of yachts. Along the way we meet lecherous royals, boxers and Beau Brummell himself. And th…

Don’t you wish Heyer wrote sequels for more of her novels? Especially when that means you can catch up with the legendary Rupert! Fighting and flirting abound as we career across France with star-crossed lovers Vidal and Mary. There’s drunk horse riding, gunshots, bar room brawls and a heroine with a very pragmatic attitude to food. We talk about t…

Joanne Harris reads her charming short story especially for Fable Gazers in this special bonus episode. Enjoy this delicious, tongue-in-cheek take on Georgette Heyer's style. A kerfuffle in the farmyard causes figurative feathers to fly - will Daphne, the dowdy hen, win her reluctant rooster? Get Joanne's latest book, ORFEIA, now. An exquisite fey …

Voyons! We’re full of admiration for These Old Shades - it balances to perfection a riotous adventure and a genuinely touching love story. Avon - the man with a dark past, red high heels and determination to prove worthy of his love. Leonie - wise beyond her years, haunted by loneliness, but with an indomitable spirit and ability to get herself out…

We’re taking a wee break to work on the second half of the season and make it as good as it can possibly be. We’ll be back in a few months’ time with episodes 13-25 to finish telling Georgette’s story and solve the mystery of why her books have yet to be made into films. In the meantime, read the books on our reading list, and rate, review and reco…

In this episode we talk about how reasonably intelligent people can mess up their love lives so very spectacularly. We thrash out the character flaws of Serena and Rotherham, and come to a greater appreciation of Fanny and Major Kirkby's gentler souls. And we even spend a little time admiring the brass neck of young Gerard Monksleigh - master of th…

It’s another book club episode! This week Sara-Mae talks to Jojo Thomas – a trained Co-Active coach, and master hypnotist, plus Aiden Truss. He’s a novelist and copywriter, who is into sci-fi and edgy post-modern literature. Will either of them fall for Heyer’s delightful, frothy classic? The score so far is six yays to two nays. Also this week, Ge…

This week Sara-Mae chats to Heyer biographer and novelist, Jennifer Kloester. As a world-renowned expert on Heyer, they discuss the mysteries of Heyer’s life, her relationship with Ronald, plus Jen’s journey to creating her great work - and the friendships she made along the way. Listen, as Jen regales us with fascinating stories about fellow Heyer…

In this week’s book club episode on The Quiet Gentleman, we try and convert ‘corporate misfit’, competitive power lifter and comedian, Dom Patmore, as well as Sara-Mae’s cousin Talitha, who is also a digital strategy mogul and yoga teacher. But will they fall for the charms of this romantic Regency thriller? Also this week, we find Georgette having…

This week we chat to film producer Andy Paterson and agent for Georgette Heyer’s estate Peter Buckman, as we try to unravel the mystery of why Heyer’s books haven’t been adapted for the screen. Andy, who has produced such luminous hits as Girl With A Pearl Earring and The Railwayman, chats to us about his latest project, and Peter Buckman elaborate…

Heyer Today, the most epic literary podcast ever made, continues with our 4th book club episode. Our convert tally is 3/4 so far, but will this week’s victims, Robert (Global VP of Finance at Impact) and the very right Reverend Caroline Risdon, say yay or nay to our Regency queen? Meanwhile, Georgette and her son Richard are in the Albany cellars a…

Heyer Today is the ultimate Georgette Heyer podcast. This week, we’re interviewing Sunday Times best selling author Harriet Evans. She’ll be sharing her top 10 favourite Heyer’s. We also chat about the perils of being a woman writer, comparing Austen and Heyer, plus dream up new rules for being a romantic hero/heroine. Stay tuned for the Stephen Fr…

Our third book club episode sees Sara-Mae discussing Faro’s Daughter with uni mate Geraldine Minuk-Eliot. Is she taking a gamble in trying to convert Geraldine? Meanwhile, Georgette fends off enquiries from her publisher friend, Frere, as to her progress with writing Faro’s Daughter… Our fantastic voice talent includes: Helen Rose-Davidge as young …

This week we look at Heyer’s treatment of her heroes and heroines and unpick why she was largely ignored by the literati. Our guests are two people who could definitely fall into that category: Alison Bonomi of the LBA literary agency and poet and novelist Jane Holland. With Charlotte Lamb as her mum, Jane knows all about the impact of a literary l…

Heyer Today is the ultimate Georgette Heyer podcast. This week bass player and teacher, Khalid Ham, joins us to talk about one of Heyer’s most popular books: Devil’s Cub. As he’s the same age as Vidal, Sara-Mae quizzes him on the similarities between himself and the hot-headed hero. Plus, we journey to 1920s Africa, as Georgette and Ronald visit Ta…